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sven
02-26-2008, 10:58 AM
My S3 never had a functioning heater and after finding out what a stock heater core and fan motor cost, I decided to fit a generic heater. The heater I used is a 28,000 BTU model from summitracing #991102 ($135). Its made by Heatercraft and is made to fit basically anything from RVs, boats, jeeps, buggies, you name it. It comes with a 3 speed motor and 3 row heater core . Also comes with a switch, wiring, and brackets. I thought about installing it inside the cabin, but the space is limited underneath a series3 dash. So I decided to mount it where the factory stuff was and it fits pretty good there. The only modification I had to do was block off the 2nd duct in the heater and weld a bracket to the top of the heater box. I actually used the 2nd duct opening that I cut out and put that where the square hole was on the bulkhead. Then I connected the 2 with 3" flexible HVAC ducting. I wired up the switch to my S3 hazard panel. The airflow comes into the stock location so the vents and defroster work the way they did before.

Before:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0174.JPG
The new heater stripped down:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0177.JPG

Close up of the new 3 row core:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0178.JPG

Installed! I mounted it to the stock holes where the old heater box was. I also bolted it to that side bracket thingy:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0182.JPG


I have tested it out yesterday here in Central Pennsylvania for a few hours. It was about 34 degrees and I felt comfortable with the heater on Low. Im also missing a few door seals and I have a softtop! Cant wait for a real test!

sven
02-26-2008, 10:59 AM
Another shot:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0183.JPG

scatterling
02-26-2008, 06:09 PM
Sven, are you using the original fan hole on the wing to get air to the fan? Also (and most importantly!!) do you think it could get rigged to fit in a RHD?
Thanks

sven
02-26-2008, 06:30 PM
Currently the side fan hole is wide open. The fan motor on this unit is open from both sides so it would be a challenge to build some sort of ducting directly to the motor. Thereare so many air leaks under the hood that Im not too concerned about fumes entering right now. There's an inch and a half gap between the hood and the fender, so air should be flowing nicely under there.

I think on a RHD it would fit fine. The only thing Id be concerned about is the exhaust is also on that side..So fumes might enter the heater if you have an exhaust leak.

oscar
02-26-2008, 06:30 PM
Looks good......

scatterling
02-26-2008, 08:33 PM
Another shot:

http://www.personal.psu.edu/sus21/heater/IMG_0183.JPG

does it look like the housing for the fan might be universal? maybe the large opening on the right in your photo might line up somewhat with the hole in the wing of my RHD

...maybe I need to take a road trip up your way to look in person :D

Willard
03-02-2008, 06:56 PM
Sven, looks great.

Looks like i will be doing the exact thing myself now that i see how nice it turned out.

Rineheitzgabot
03-02-2008, 08:37 PM
Sven,

Looks like you did a fine job.

I do not know what an SIII looks like under the hood. I imagine it to be similar to a SIIA, but I am wondering if this will work on mine (SIIA, that is). Your photos have many things disassembled that I am a bit disoriented in comparing.

I'm gonna need to look into this soon.

Where did you purchase it (on the web?)?

Thanks,
Gary

Rineheitzgabot
03-02-2008, 08:52 PM
Sven,

Looks like you did a fine job.

I do not know what an SIII looks like under the hood. I imagine it to be similar to a SIIA, but I am wondering if this will work on mine (SIIA, that is). Your photos have many things disassembled that I am a bit disoriented in comparing.

I'm gonna need to look into this soon.

Where did you purchase it (on the web?)?

Thanks,
Gary

sven
03-02-2008, 10:59 PM
I THINK series III and late 2a is the same heater setup under the hood so it I would think it SHOULD work?

The heater is availible here: http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=SUM%2D991102&Ntk=KeywordSearch&autofilter=1&Ntt=mojave&N=4294924500&autoview=sku

JCWhitney also sells it for a lot more, around $200.

Rineheitzgabot
12-05-2008, 08:52 AM
Sven,

Do you still like this set-up? What do you like the least about it?

I'm still considering it.

Thanks,
Gary

sven
12-05-2008, 09:04 AM
Sven,

Do you still like this set-up? What do you like the least about it?

I'm still considering it.

Thanks,
Gary

Yeah, still have it but truck is apart right now.

Its very warm except at highway speeds. I think it has to do with my soft-top and the lack of door seals :rolleyes: So I should either use my hard-top or get a fume curtain. Otherwise it get very warm and I I dont have to use the fan on high.

I also want to improve the way the way its ducted to the bulkhead. I used a flexible duct, but Id rather make some metal pieces and make a square duct to mimic the old heater. I also want to enclose the blower motor and duct that to the opening in the wing. I didnt have a fume problem but this prevent that if something happened.

If I had a series 2, Id mount it inside under the passenger dash. The S3 doesnt have room under the dash for this. If you mount it inside, you would have to fab anything. You could run one duct to the defroster, the other to the feet. The unit is small about the size of a shoebox, but slightly shorter.